Jamaica’s medal hopeful Brigitte Foster-Hylton broke down crying hysterically after she tripped over a hurdle and fell to ground during the Olympic women’s 100-metre hurdles heat.

The 2009 World Champion, who led coming off the fourth hurdle following an explosive start, clipped the fifth barrier with her trail leg, stumbled and just could not recover to finish the race quick enough for a spot in Tuesday semi-final.

The heart-broken 37-year-old, who was competing in her fourth Olympic Games after appearances in 2000, 2004 and 2008, entered these Games as medal favourite with this season’s second fastest time of 12.51 seconds.

A distraught Foster-Hylton who had thrown herself to the ground in frustration after crossing the finish line in 13.98 seconds could not be consoled by American competition Lolo Jones, who won the heat in a season best 12.68 seconds.

Watch the emotional video below:

Unfortunately, this will be Foster-Hylton’s final appearance in the Olympics at age 37. Sometimes, we forget how hard these athletes train for these events. However, it has been a great run for Foster-Hylton.